851B.01/22

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State

Participants: Secretary Hull;
the British Ambassador, Lord Lothian; and
the Australian Minister, Richard G. Casey.

The Ambassador inquired about the status of Martinique, and I replied that thus far they seemed to be maintaining law and order there, and that the French naval commander is utilizing the influence of his ship and its seamen and officers to that end, and that we are keeping in close touch with the situation, having in mind the ninety airplanes that are deposited on the island, together with definite ideas as to their ultimate disposition. The Ambassador inquired as to what we would do if an internal fight should develop between the forces supporting the Pétain Government and those opposed, to which I replied that we would observe the objects and purposes of the Act of Havana and the declaration accompanying it, but that I would not undertake at the moment to elaborate further on this phase.

C[ordell] H[ull]